Suction cleaner



2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR ATTORNEY Frank L Pierce F. L. PIERCE Oct. 3, 1939;

SUCTION CLEANER Filed Feb. 28, 1938 lay Oct. 3, 1939. F. 1.. PIERCE suc'rxon CLEANER Filed Feb. 28, 1958 2 Sheets-Shot 2 INVENTOR Frank Z. Pierce lab 5 s7 \42 ATTORNEY Patented Oct. 3, 1939 PATENT OFFICE SUCTION CLEANER Frank L. Pierce, North Canton, Ohio, assignor. to The Hoover Company, North Canton, Ohio, a

corporation of Ohio Application February 28, 1938, Serial No. 193,014

11 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in suction cleaners and more particularly to a cleaner of the type in which the fan chamber and motor casing are included in a unitary housing rotative 5 about a horizontal transverse axis relative to a wheeled frame supporting the nozzle portion.

A cleaner of this particular design should be capable of conversion to ofi-the-floor cleaning operation by means of hose and dusting tools in the same manner as other types of suction cleaners, and the object of the present invention is to provide a practical arrangement for the application of a converter member carried at the end of a dusting tool hose for both suction and blower cleaning operations.

A preferred embodiment of the invention is disclosed in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a general view in sideelevation of the cleaner arranged for normal floor cleaning operation and showing the end of the nozzle chamber, the side wall of the passage leading therefrom to the fan chamber and a section of the exhaust outlet passage broken away to show the internal construction;

Figure 2 is a bottom plan view of the cleaner;

Figure 3 is a view in side elevation corresponding to Figure l, but showing the fan motor housing rotated with the handle in vertical or storage position;

Figure 4 is an enlarged detail view in vertical section taken on line 4-4 of Figure 1, showing the hinged converter port cover in locked position; and 1 Figure 5 is a detail view corresponding to Figure 4 but showing the converter port cover unlocked and swung inwardly into open position as in Figure 3.

Considering first the general design and construction'of the cleaner, a wheeled casing l supports a nozzle 2 extending transversely across the front of the carriage. A cylindric housing 3 extends horizontally and transversely of the casing I and is rotatively supported centrally thereof with one end portion of the housing forming a fan chamber 3a and the. remaining portion providing a housing for a motor 4, which drives the suction fan and other moving parts of the cleaner.

The casing l preferably has the form of a shallow downwardly opening casting surrounded by depending marginal walls la and forming skirt-like portions concealing the pairs of front and rear supporting wheels 5, 5 and 6, 6, respectively, as well as other parts carried on its underside. A relatively large section of the easing I is cut out to form a rearwardly opening slot accommodating the rotative housing 3, which includes a radially extending exhaust outlet 1 from the fan chamber with its flanged connection 1a towhich is attached one end of a dirt bag or receptacle 8, together with an integral socket 3 located immediately above the outlet connection 1 and forming a support for the handle in, only the lower end portion of which is illustrated but otherwise being of the usual length and arrangement.

0n opposite sides of the recess in which the housing 3 rotates, are annular trunnions H, II, supporting collars 12, I2, having inwardly projecting flanges which form the end bearings for the cylindric housing 3 as shown in Figure 2.

Thus, the entire fan chamber and motor assembly including the dirt bag and handle are free to swing about a horizontal axis and within an arc of approximately 90 from a horizontal position to a vertical or storage position (Figure 3).

A fan I3 is located within the fan chamber 3a of the housing 3 and has direct driving connection with the motor 4. The fan chamberhas a circular inlet opening or eye [4 formed in the end wall of the housing concentric with the axis thereof. This inlet opening communicates with the upper end of a hollow casing section l5, extending forwardly in a downwardly inclined direction, and forms an air passageway communicating with the nozzle chamber or space within the nozzle portion 2 of the casing I, with its downwardly opening suction mouth extending the full width of the casing. Thus, the dirt-laden air entering the suction mouth under suction created by the fan, is carried into the fan chamber through the inlet opening or eye and is thence discharged into the dirt bag from the discharge outlet connection I as is common procedure in suction cleaners of the portable type.

Preferably located in the nozzle chamber and extending the full length thereof immediately above the suction mouth,- is a rotary agitator I6 consisting of a light metal shell of cylindric form and provided with carpet contacting beater elements Mia and. the brush elements lBb. The agitator is driven by means of a belt I! housed within a hollow casing section l8 (similar to the section [5 on the opposite side forming the inlet passage to the fan chamber) and driven by means of a pulley carried at the end of the motor shaft (not shown).

The foregoing completes the general structural features of the cleaner and as such is typical of any standard handle-maneuvered type. But as heretofore stated, it is desired to extend the usefulness of the cleaner by making provision for attaching a dusting tool and a hose for the cleaning of curtains, upholstery, and the like and not only by means of suction but also by blowing if necessary.

The customary method of converting the suction cleaner from normal floor cleaning to offthe-floor cleaning is to close oflf the inlet passage from the nozzle to the fan chamber at a point preferably adjacent the fan eye and by means of a special fitting carried at the end of the dusting tool hose, which not only acts as a valve or cut-off member but also as a connection between the hose and the fan chamber. Similarly, if blower operation is desired, the same procedure is carried out by intercepting the discharge, of air from the fan chamber and preferably at a point just in advance of the outlet connection to the dirt bag. And further, for reasons which will presently appear, it is also desirable to elevate the nozzle above the floor surface during the socalled suction or blower converter operation, auxiliary means being provided for automatically performing this operation. And finally, looking or latching means are preferably provided for preventing the conversion of the cleaner to either suction or blower operation, except the handle has first been swung into a predetermined position, namely, its upright or storage position. The converter arrangement together withthe auxiliary nozzle elevating and converter latching devices will now be described in detail:

Referring first to the suction converter arrangement, there is provided in the upper wall of the casing section l forming the inlet passage to the fan chamber, a rectangular port 20 located adjacent and slightly forwardly and above the entrance or eye II to the fan chamber. This port is normally closed by means of a hinged closure plate 2| arranged to swing inwardly and about a horizontal axis, with its hinge 2|a of any simple and suitable construction located along the lower edge of the port 20 and including a torsion spring 22 acting to hold the port cover 2| in its closed position. Thus, Figures 1 and 4 show the port closure plate 2| in its normal and closed position, whereas Figures 3 and 5 show the closure plate swung downwardly and transversely of the air passagefrom the nozzle chamber to the fan chamber and immediately forward of the fan eye l4. Now, the opening of the converter port and the swinging of its closure plate into closing position across the inlet passage, is performed manually by a so-called converter fitting 23 which is preferably fixed to one end of the dusting tool hose 24, as clearly shown in Figure 3. This converter member or fitting 23 has the form of a short tubular metal conduit, rectangular in cross sec-.

tion and fitting snugly within the port 20 with its outer end portion shaped to complete the connection between the hose and the fan eye. One of the end walls of the conduit is longer than the other and the intermediate side wall portion is curved to conform to the are described by the fan eye, so that by inserting the converter member 23 through the port 20 with the shorter side facing toward the fan eye, the port closure plate 2| is swung downwardly into closing position simultaneously with the establishment of communication of the hose 24 with the fan chamber whereupon suction cleaning by .means of dusting tools at the free end of the hose 24 may be carried on.

But as hereinabove noted, it is not possible to complete the conversion for dusting tool operation unless the handle has first been swung into vertical or storage position, this being regulated by a simple form of latching means which normally prevents the port closure plate 2| from being opened. Thus, as clearly shown in Figures 4 and 5, an endwise shiftable spring-actuated pin 25 is mounted within a laterally opening socket 26 at one side of the converter port 20 and facing toward the end wall of the rotative housing 3. The outer end of the locking pin 25 is rounded and, projecting from its socket, bears against the face of the housing 3 under the tension of a compression spring 21 surrounding the pin within the socket 26. In its locking position, the inner end of the pin projects'beyond the adjacent edge of the port opening 20 just beneath the port cover 2| so that the latter cannot be opened by pressure applied from the outside, However, assuming that the handle is swung into its upright or storage position carrying with it the rotative housing 3, the latch member 25 is permitted to shift endwise and outwardly by engaging a recess or depression 28 formed in the end wall of the housing 3 as clearly shown in Figures 1 and 5. Obviously, this endwise movement is just sufiicient to release the closure plate 2| so that it can now swing downwardly as the converter member 23 is inserted into its converting position.

' Now, a somewhat similar arrangement is provided for converting the cleaner for blowing operation using the sanie hose and converter member 23. A port 30 is located in the bottom wall of the outlet connection I from the fan chamber just below the flanged outlet connection la, this 'port being of the same size and shape as the converter port 20 and normally closed by the same arrangement of hinged closure plate 3| adapted to swing inwardly and transversely across the outlet passage with a torsion spring 32 acting at the hinge t3f|a to maintain the closure plate in closed posiion.

Being located on the underside of the rotative housing 3, it is necessary to provide a slightly different arrangement for latching the plate 3| in closed position except when the handle is in its storage position, this latching means being clearly shown in Figures 2 and 3. Thus, a latch member 33 is pivotally mounted intermediate its ends on the outer surface of the discharge outlet connection I from the fan chamber at a point a short distance below the port 30. This latch member consists of a thin metal plate with end portions extending at right angles and in an outward lateral direction. The lower and longer end portion 33a of the latch member 33 projects slightly beyond the adjacent edge of the recess occupied by the rotating housing 3 whereas its opposite end 33b normally overlies the lower and outermost corner of the closure plate 3|, to the underside of which is attached a corner clip 34 with its tip end spaced a short distance from the surface of the cover plate to form a slot to receive the locking end 33b of the latch member 33. A shallow sheet metal housing 35 preferably encloses the major portion of the latch member 33, together with a tension spring 36 which acts upon the latch member 33 in a direction to urge the same into looking position with the hinged port closure plate 3|. Thus, assuming that the latch member 33 in its normal position has latching engagement with the closure plate 3|, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, it follows that upon swinging the handle into its upright or storage position, as shown in Figure 3, that the projecting lower tip end 33a of the latching member 33 will strike the edge of the top wallportion of the casing I just as the housing 3 approaches its ultimate upright position, thus swinging the latch member 33 just enough "to release its locking end 33?) from the slot formed by the corner clip 34 on the closure plate 3i, whereupon the converter member 23 can then be freely inserted as shown in dotted lines in Figure 3. Now, with the cleaner converted for blower operation, air is delivered under pressure directly from the fan chamber to the hose 24 to be discharged through a suitable blowing tool at its opposite end.

And finally, it is desirable to raise the nozzle above its normal level with reference to the floor during both suction and blower conversion operation, and primarily because undue wear is likely to result if the cleaner remains in one position for any length of time with the agitator in contact with the carpet. As a means for automatically elevating the nozzle, a pair of auxiliary lifting wheels 31, 31 are mounted on the underside of the cleaner casing for vertical adjustment so that the forward portion thereof may be elevated whenever the handle is swung upwardly into vertical position. These auxiliary'wheels are located just inwardly from the pair of front supporting wheels 5, 5 and are journalled at the lower and forward ends of a pair of supporting arms 38, 38 each pivotally mounted on a bearing pin 39 supported by depending ears 4B, 40 cast integral with the bottom wall of the hollow casin sections l5 and i8. Torsion springs 4|, 4| are mounted on the bearing pins 39 and act upon the supporting arms 38, 38 to normally hold them in their upward position with the wheels 31, 31 out of contact with the floor surface, as shown in Figure 1. These auxiliary wheels 31 move as a unit because their supporting arms 38 are connected by a cross bar 42 extending transversely between their forward ends. And finally, a radially projecting cam member 43 is fastened to the underside of the cylindric casing 3 and having a beveled cam adapted to contact the rod 42 just as the handle approaches its upright position, as shown in Figure 3. Obviously, the contact between the cam 43 and the rod 42 depresses the auxiliary wheels into contact with the carpet surface and lifts the nozzle as well as the forward portion of the cleaner above the floor. This elevation of the nozzle is ample to prevent contact of the agitator with the carpet surface and, in the case of blower operation, has the added advantage of allowing the air to enter the nozzle more freely and to eliminate the tendency of the suction drawing the carpet upwardly against the suction mouth and sealing it.

The arrangement herein shown for including the conversion features in a cleaner characterized by a rotative fan chamber, presents a very simple and yet effective arrangement for both suction and blower dusting tool operation by utilizing a simple arrangement of hinged portcovers and latching means so that conversion cannot take place except when the handle is in its so-called storage position. Moreover, provision of automatic nozzle elevating means interlocked with both suction and blowing conversion operations, affords ample and positive protection for the carpet.

Having set forth a preferred embodiment of the invention, I claim:

1. In a suction cleaner, the combination of a casing including suction-creating means, a nozzle communicating with said suction-creating means, a handle mounted on said casing and adapted to swing in a vertical plane, means operatively connected with said handle for raising said nozzle upon the movement of said handle into a predetermined position, said casing having a port adjacent said suction-creating means for the attachment of a hose thereat, a closure member for said port, and a latch member normally retaining said closure in port-closing position and operative in the movement of said handle into said predetermined position to release said closure and permit the opening of said port for the attachment of said hose.

2. In a suction cleaner, the combination of a casing including suction-creating means having an air inlet passage and an exhaust passage, 9.

nozzle communicating with' said suction-creating means through said inlet passage, a handle mounted on said casing to swing in a vertical plane, means operatively connected with said handle for adjusting the height of said nozzle, one of said passages having a port adapted to have a hose attached thereat, a closure member for said port, and a latch member normally retaining said closure in port-closing position and operative in the movement of said handle in a direction to raise said nozzle and release said closure to permit the attachment of said hose.

3. In a suction cleaner, the combination of a casing including suction-creating means, a nozzle communicating with said suction-creating means,

a handle mounted on said casing and adapted to swing in a vertical plane, a floor contacting member carried by said casing, a cam actuated in the movement of said handle to shift said floor contacting member in a direction to raise said nozzle above the floor surface, said casing having a port communicating with said suction-creating means and adapted to have a hose attached thereat, a closure member for said port, and latching means normally holding said closure in port-closing position and operative in the act of swinging said handle into a predetermined position of rest to release said closure for the attachment of said hose at said port during the period said nozzle is elevated above the floor.

4. In a suction cleaner, the combination of acasing including suction-creating means having air inlet and exhaust outlet passages, a nozzle communicating with said suction creating means through said inlet passage, a handle mounted on said casing to swing in a vertical plane, means carried by'said casing for adjusting the height of said nozzle with respect to the floor surface, a cam member operatively connected with said handle and adapted to actuate said nozzle adjusting means in the movement of said handle to raise said nozzle, said passages having externally accessible ports adapted to have a hose attached thereat, closure members for said ports, and latching means normally holding said closures in port-closing position and operative inthe act of swinging said handle into a predetermined position of rest to release said closures and allow the attachment of said hose at either of saidports during the period said nozzle is raised from the floor. I

5. In a suction cleaner, the combination of a casing including suction-creating means having an air inlet passage and an exhaust outlet passage, a nozzle communicating with said air inlet passage, each of said passages having a, port therein and a closure therefor, a handle mounted on said casing and adapted to swing to and from a predetermined position of rest, handle-actuated nozzle adjusting means operative to raise said nozzle in the movement of said handle into its position of rest, latch members normally preventing the opening of said port closure members,

said latch members being shiftable in the movement of said handle into nozzle raising position to release said closure members for the attachment of a hose at eltherof said ports.

6. In a suction cleaner, the combination of a wheeled casing including a nozzle, a cylindric housing mounted on said casing to rotate about a horizontal transverse axis and forming a fan chamber having an inlet passage communicating with said nozzle and an exhaust outlet passage, a handle fixed to said housing, said pascasing including suction-creating means having an air inlet passage and an exhaust outlet passage, a nozzle communicating with said air inlet passage, said last mentioned passage having a port therein and a hinged closure therefor, a handle mounted on said casing to swing to and from a predetermined position of rest, handleactuated nozzle adjusting means operative to raise said nozzle in the movement of said handle into its position of rest, a spring-actuated latch- 1 ing member for said port closure member and a cam normally retaining said latch member in latching position but shiftable in the movement of said handle into nozzle raising position to unlatch said closure member to permit the attachment of a hose at said port.

8. In a suction cleaner, the combination of a wheeled casing including a nozzle, a cylindric housing mounted on said casing to rotate about.

a horizontal transverse axis and forming a fan chamber having an inlet passage communicating with said nozzle and an exhaust outlet passage extending radially therefrom, a handle flxed to said housing to swing therewith, said passages having converter ports provided with springpressed closure members normally held in closed position, a latching member associated with each of said port closure members and acting normally to hold said closure member in port closing position, an auxiliary wheel mounted on. said casing for vertical adjustment and means for simultaneously releasing said latching members to permit the insertion of a converter member into either of said ports and for depressing said auxiliary wheel to raise said nozzle above the floor in the movement of said handle into a predetermined position.

9. Ina suction cleaner, the combination of a wheeled casing including a nozzle, a cylindric housing mounted on said casing to rotate about a horizontal transverse axis and forming a fan chamber having an air inlet opening and an exhaust outlet, said casing having an air passage connecting said nozzle with said fan chamber inlet opening and provided with a port in a wall thereof, a handle carried by said housing, means for elevating said nozzle in the movement of said handle to a predetermined position of rest, a spring-actuated closure member normally closing said port, a spring-actuated latch member normally engaging said closure member to hold the same in closed position, a portion of said latch member having bearing contact with the adjacent surface of said rotative housing, the same having a recess therein adapted to register with said latch member in a predetermined angular position of said housing and to effect the release of said port closure member and permit insertion of a converter member into said port upon the movement of said handle into said position of rest.

10. In a suction cleaner, the combination of a casing having front and rear supporting wheels and a nozzle at its forward end, a cylindric housing supported on said casing for rotation abouta horizontal transverse axis, a portion of said housing forming a fan chamber having an inlet pas- .sage and an outlet passage, each having a converter port therein, hinged closure plates and spring-actuated latch member normally holding said closure plates in closed position, auxiliary supporting wheels journalled on brackets pivotally mounted on said casing, springs acting on said brackets to hold said auxiliary wheels nor- 'mally out of contact with the carpet surface, said latch members and auxiliary wheel supporting brackets being actuated in the rotative movement of said housing into a predetermined angular position to release simultaneously said converter port closure members and to depress said auxiliary wheels to effect the raising of said nozzle.

11. In a suction cleaner, the combination of a casing having front and rear supporting wheels and a nozzle at its forward end, a cylindric housing supported on said casing for rotation about a horizontal transverse axis and forming a fan chamber having an inlet opening and a radially disposed exhaust outlet passage, said nomle having an air inlet passage leading to said fan chamber and ports formed in the top wall of said inlet passage and in the bottom wall of the exhaust outlet passage respectively, hinged closure plates normally closing said ports, arms pivotally mounted on the underside of said casing and carrying auxiliary supporting wheels, springs act-' ing on said arms. to hold said auxiliary wheels normally out of contact with the carpet surface, a handle fixed to said housing. and latch members actuated by said housing in the swinging movement of said handle into vertical position to release said converter port closure members and to depress said auxiliary wheels into contact with the floor toeiiect the raising of said nomle.

FRANK L. PIERCEq 

